Dust-cap.



J. E. BILLUPS.

DUST GAP. APPLICATION FILED 00'12131913. I 1,090,376. Patented Mar.17,1914.

fgz 14 9 avwewco'o IEBlLLUPS JOSEPH E. BILLUPS, 0F KELLYTON, ALABAMA.

DUST-CAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

Application filed October 13, 1913. Serial No. 794,932.

ence being had to the accompanying draw-- ings.

This invention relates to improvements in sand bands and has for its primary object to provide a simple, efficient and durable device of this character for protecting the vehicle axle, spindle and box from sand, dirt and other foreign matter and preventing the same from wearing away the spindle so that the oil or other lubricant will not escape from the axle box.

The invention has for another and more specific object the provision of a substantially semi-circular band mounted upon the axle clip, and brushes also fixed upon the clip and disposed inwardly of the band to engage the end of the axle box and hub and remove dust or other accumulations therefrom.

My invention has for another of its objects to provide a device of the above character which consists of but few parts and may be manufactured at very small cost, said device being readily applied or removed from the axle without necessitating any alterations in the construction thereof or in the construction of the wheel bearing.

With the above and other objects in View as will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invent-ion consists in certain constructions, combinations and arrangements of the parts that I shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of one end of a vehicle axle and a wheel hub showing my improved sand band applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a face view of the device removed from the axle.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 designates the vehicle axle provided with the usual spindle 6 upon one end, to receive the axle box 7 mounted in the Wheel hub S. It is understood that the axle box may be of any ordinary or approved form, as the present invention is applicable to the various constructions thereof now in general use.

My improved sand band embodies the band proper indicated at 9 which is of substantially semi-circular form and is adapted to engage over the inner end of the wheel hub 8. This band at one of its ends is provided with reduced extensions 10 which are extended upon the inner face of the curved semi-circular portion of the ordinary axle clip 11, which secures the sand band upon the vehicle axle. These reduced extensions of the band 9 between the clip 11 and the periphery of the band are spaced or separated from each other to provide an opening 12 for a purpose to be later referred to. The extensions 10 of the band 9 are secured to the clip by means of suitable rivets 13, and these rivets also secure the brushes 14: at one of their ends to the axle clip. The brushes 14 extend through openings 15 provided in the end wall of the sand band on which the extensions 10 are formed, and the bristles of said brushes are adapted for engagement with the end of the axle box, and the wheel hub as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

From the above construction, it will be apparent that the brushes 14: act to remove the dust, sand or grit which may accumulate upon the inner end of the wheel hub and prevent its entrance into the axle box and upon the axle spindle, thus preventing the wearing of these parts so that the oil or other lubricant with which the axle box is supplied will be retained therein. The life of the spindle and axle box is thus greatly prolonged. By the provision of the opening 12 between the extensions 10 of the sand band, the dust and grit which is removed form the hub and axle box by the brushes may readily'find an outlet from the space between the band and axle.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction and manner of use of the invention will be clearly and fully understood.

The device is extremely simple, may be produced at small manufacturing cost and is highly efficient and serviceable in actual use.

The device may be readily applied to the ordinary vehicle axle and does not require any alterations in the construction thereof or of the wheel hub.

While I have shown and described the particular form and construction of the several parts employed, it will be obvious that my invention is susceptible of considerable modification therein and I therefore reserve the right to resort to all such legitimate changes as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention, as claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: o

l. A sand band for vehicle hubs comprising in combination with the axle clip, a band disposed over the inner end of the wheel hub and provided with extensions on one end secured to the axle clip, and brushes fixed to the clip and extending through the end wall of the band for engagement with the end of the vehicle hub.

2. A sand band for wheel hubs comprising in combination with the axle clip, the band proper extending over the end of the wheel hub andhavingan end wall provided with extensions secured to the axle clip, said extensions between the clip and the periphery of the band being spaced apart to provide an outlet opening, and brushes secured to opposite sides of the clip and extending through the end wall of the band, said brushes being adapted for engagement with the end of the vehicle hub;

In testimony whereof I hereunto alfix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH E. BILLUPS. WVitnesses:

R. W. SUTTLE, C. E. DoWsING.

00p!" of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gomminioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

